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Does Detecting Breast Cancer with MRIs Increase the Rate of Mastectomies?

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In the last years, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) has become a very popular method used for the early detection of breast cancer, because it has greater sensibility than mammography. But, opponents of MRI are concerned about this type of examination because of the belief that it may increase rates of mastectomy. However, different studies have been performed and no proof of this has been recorded (Dang and Zaguiyan et al 937). Although many people think that mastectomy may increase with MRI’s, I feel that these types of screenings should be more recommendable for women at high risk for breast cancer, because cancer, if not treated on time might be fatal.
Mammography has been traditionally used for breast examination, in order to detect …show more content…

They came up with the hypothesis that MRI did not increase rates of mastectomy, and as they expected the results showed that patients considered with early breast cancer, did not make a difference in mastectomy rates (quoted in Dang and Zaguiyan et al 937-938).
It is only a presumption that magnetic resonance imaging use contributes to mastectomy, and some do not support this conclusion (Dang and Zaguiyan et al 939). But as the evidence shows, there is no proof that magnetic resonance imaging may cause an increase of mastectomy. I think the real issue is just a matter of controversy, and conclusions seem to have been prematurely made.
In the other hand, the fact that Magnetic Resonance Imaging is not affected by breast density has been mentioned repeatedly. Despite its sensitivity, which is greater than ninety five percent, false positive results have been reported, which rates the accuracy of MRI between its thirty seven and ninety - seven percent. (Dang and Zaguiyan et al 937). But I personally think that occult breast cancer is a very uncommon presentation. All tests and screenings may have their failures, and Magnetic Resonance Imaging is not an exception.
However, I want to make clear that I am not saying that mammograms should be substituted by Magnetic Resonance Imaging for every woman, nor I am saying mammography’s use should be discontinued. But, MRI should be recommended as an additional protocol to mammography, for women at very high risk for breast

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